Document 0186
 DOCN  M9480186
 TI    HIV risk behavior and medical status of underprivileged youths in Belo
       Horizonte, Brazil.
 DT    9410
 AU    Pinto JA; Ruff AJ; Paiva JV; Antunes CM; Adams IK; Halsey NA; Greco DB;
       Service of Parasitic and Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine,;
       Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
 SO    J Adolesc Health. 1994 Mar;15(2):179-85. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       MED/94289448
 AB    METHODS: From June 1989 to April 1991, 394 adolescents aged 10-18 years
       randomly selected upon admission at a state shelter in Belo Horizonte,
       Brazil underwent health history interview, physical examination,
       serology for HIV, hepatitis B, and syphilis, and stool examination.
       Participants were classified as street-based youths (n = 195) or
       home-based youths (n = 199). The age distribution was similar in both
       groups, although males were overrepresented among street-based youths
       (79.5% versus 62.3%). RESULTS: Compared with home-based youths,
       street-based youths reported earlier onset (p = 0.009) and higher rates
       of sexual activity (odds ratio [OR], 2.1; 95% confidence interval [CI],
       1.4-3.3), sexual abuse (OR, 3.7; 95% CI, 1.2-10.1), and sexually
       transmitted diseases (OR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.3-6.6). Overall condom use was
       low in both groups. Street-based youths were 7.8 times more likely to
       use drugs than home-based youths (95% CI, 4.9-12.7). Inhalants and
       marijuana were the more commonly used drugs. Intravenous drug use was
       low. CONCLUSIONS: Although chronic malnutrition and multiple parasitosis
       were common findings in both groups, street-based youths were more
       likely to present disorders related to trauma and poor hygienic
       conditions. Antibodies to HIV were detected in four (2%) street-based
       youths and in none of the home-based youths. This study confirms that
       street youths are at higher risk for HIV infection than their home-based
       peers and indicates a need for HIV prevention programs targeting this
       population.
 DE    Adolescence  *Adolescent Behavior  Age Distribution  Brazil/EPIDEMIOLOGY
       Child  Comparative Study  Confidence Intervals  Female  *Health Behavior
       Health Services Needs and Demand  *Health Status  Health Surveys
       *Homeless Persons  Human  HIV Infections/*EPIDEMIOLOGY/PREVENTION &
       CONTROL/TRANSMISSION  Male  Morbidity  Odds Ratio  *Poverty  Risk
       Factors  *Risk-Taking  Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.  JOURNAL ARTICLE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).